Sea cadets on the crest of a wave
Photographs by Patrick Trollope.

LIVERPOOL is now officially the anchor to sea cadet success!  The city council is giving the Merseyside Sea Cadet Corps the Freedom of the City in recognition of their longstanding links to Liverpool.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Mike Storey said:- “As a teacher I have highlighted young people as the theme for my year as Lord Mayor. I’m delighted this youth organisation is receiving the highest honour the city can bestow during my term of office.  I would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of those who support the Corps to provide the skills and knowledge for our cadets to fulfil their future aspirations. As First Citizen it is a very proud occasion for me personally.”

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets is Britain’s oldest maritime charity supporting 14,000 young people by giving them an opportunity to challenge themselves, build confidence and work as part of a team.  The charity offers a practical programme of adventure activities, based on a naval theme aimed at developing social skills and responsibility, and re-connecting young people with their maritime heritage. Sea Cadets can also learn a range of skills and gain extra qualifications.  The Sea Cadets have been in Merseyside since 1938 when the Wallasey Unit opened. The first actual unit in Liverpool was Huyton with Roby which opened its doors on 25 July 1942 followed by West Derby later that year. Its association with the Lord Mayor also stretches back to the early 30's when the brightest young cadet would be presented with a medal by the Lord Mayor.

Today 17 units provide incredible opportunities for 600 young people aged between 10 and 18 working with local communities. Current facilities in Liverpool are among the best in the country with boating stations, water ways and lakes making it easy to access water-borne activities as befitting a city with such a strong maritime heritage.  Liverpool is the only place in the UK to have given the Freedom of the City to a Sea Cadet Corps.

His Royal Highness The Duke of York, who officially opened the TS Mersey new headquarters last year, said:- “As Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, I wish to offer my congratulations to the 600 young people who make up the 17 Sea Cadet Units in Merseyside, and to those who dedicate so much of their time to the Sea Cadets in Liverpool. The recognition of the invaluable contribution your efforts make in supporting your local community cannot be underestimated.  The Sea Cadets offer incredible opportunities to young people, and those that take on the ethos of the Sea Cadets and the responsibility that goes with it will go on to achieve a sense of pride and purpose that will steer them well in their future aspirations.”

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Warren Bradley nominated the Sea Cadets to receive the honour at a council meeting on 28 January this year which was unanimously approved.

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